Friday, November 04, 2005

Some Family Photos

This photo is of my Grandparents in the middle. My elder bhua ji on the left hand side, younger bhua ji on the right hand side and my dad in the middle. The photo was taken in Delhi in 1965.

Photo of my mum and dad. My mum and dad have been supportive of me following the Guru's Path. My dad from a young age got me involved in doing small sewa in the Gurdwara, from giving out Parshaad or tissues, and distributing Langar. He is also taught me Sa-Re-Ga-Ma on the Vaaja and taught me Shabd Kirtan at a young age. On Gurpurbs my dad would get me to read out a Saakhi, sing a Shabd, or read out a Pauree from Japji, which dad had taught me with its meaning in English. It was a great way to build up my confidence in public as well take an interest in Gurmat.

My mum has always been supportive of me, and also spurred me to walk in the walk direction and giving me the confidence and encouragement, when I needed it. I remember my Mum would always having faith in Waheguru. When scared, when in a problem etc my mum would say, "Say 'Satnaam Waheguru'" and "Remember Rab, and Baba Ji will lookafter you".

I thankful to them for their love and support. May Guru Ji bless them with Gursikhi Jeevan and keep them in Chardikala.

My mum is a very sociable and down to earth person. She's been a town councillor for about thirteen years. She became a councillor after a family friend from Leamington Spa suggested that my mum should become a councillor. At the time there were no other Sikh, Asian or non-white councillors in our town or area. She really enjoys talking to people and helping people with their problems to the best of her abilities. In June 2004 she was chosen to be the Town Lord Mayor of Banbury. She was the first non-white in Oxfordshire, and first Sikh lady to be Mayor in the UK. It was a proud moment. My mum kept busy while being mayor. Hardly ever at home! lol. But it was nice that she enjoyed it.

This photo was taken at Houses of Parliament at Vaisakhi celebrations. I am standing with my mum and dad, and the MP for Panjabis in Britain, John McDonnell. That day my dastaar was really tight. Too tight! My forehead was acheing, so I pushed my Dastaar up. Hence in the photo my Keski is looking lop-sided! :(

In the summer holidays my mum's bhua ji came over from Canada. She is such a nice lady. Doesn't do any nindiaa of anyone, reads Gurbani and loves to listen to Keertan. She is like an angel! Really nice person. My dad took a photo of Nanni Ji wearing my mum's Mayoral chain. It looks so funny, because poor Nanny Ji looks like she is a prisoner of war or something wearing that big chain. lol.

This is a photo of Remembrance Sunday, commemorating those who died in the World Wars. My mum thought why don't we remember the Sikh soldiers who died in the war. Ever since, every year my family and few other Sikhs (there's only a very small Sikh community) gather and participate in the Remembrance Sunday march. We get some young Sikh children to lay a reef. The Vicar and organisers are so friendly and pleasant that they ask the Sikhs to do an Ardaas as well. So every year I do a small public Ardaas to remember and honour the shaheeds and for world peace, alongside a Muslim and Christian.

My fuffar Ji is standing next to me. He is a Gurmukh person and has keen interest on Gurmat. Always good to do vichaar with him and share saakhis, gurbaani knowledge and any interesting gurmat issues. He is very supportative of me being an Amritdhari and leading a Sikh way of life, like the rest of my family.

This is a photo of the Remembrance Sunday Ceremony in the Park. Two young Singhs and I walked to the Memorial place and laid a Reef, and the little Singh shouted a Jaikaara. The public was suprised but intrigued. When I explained to people what the Jaikaara is they were amazed and they held a lot of respect for the Sikh soldiers.

My brother, who is five years older than me, graduated with a degree in Computer Science from UCL. He wanted to go into investment banking, but then chose to join the British Army. He spent a year at Sandhurst for training (which was extremely hard! WAHEGUROO!), and graduated as an Officer in April 2005. At the moment he has gone abroad for 6 months! Long time! He's posted incharge of a platoon in Poland at the moment. He was in Germany before that. Soon he will be going in Iraq. Rab Rakha!

Its bit loney sometimes at home without him. He can be annoying but at same time its nice to have him around - suppose thats like all brother relationships. lol. He's coming back home to visit during Christmas time, so that should be good.

When I went to visit my brother at Sandhurst with my mum and dad, my brother suited me up with his gear. It was HEAVY! Its unbelievable how people in the army run around with so much baggage and weight.

My brother is standing outside the main Sandhurst building. Inside they have a gallery of pictures. I was pleasantly suprised to see that most of the photos inside were dedicated to Sikh and Indian soldiers. Most of the photos were of Singhs fighting in battles and being honoured etc. It was really inspiring.

ermm... will i don't have any more photos on my laptop to load up. Perhaps when i get some more scanned and loaded on the computer, i will add them to my blog.

3 comments:

Thanks for sharing all those wonderful family photos. You have a very dedicated family and it so good to read how your Dad & Mom have fully supported you to be a keshadhari Sikh. I feel very proud of your dad's wholehearted commitment.

I hope the Guru will continue to cherish and support your family's faith.